Home Field Advantage?

In most sports, teams have a home field (or court or ice) advantage. But thanks to the wonder of Small Sample Size theater, sometimes home isn’t Home Sweet Home. I am referring to the 2009 Minnesota Swarm.

The Swarm finished their season in fifth place in their division (of six teams, but everyone knew that, right?). Their away record was 4-4, which is pretty good. Breaking even on the road is often enough to get a team to the playoffs. However, when the home record is 2-6, that changes things entirely. Of the 12 teams in the NLL (National Lacrosse League, of course), only one other team had a losing home record; but that team also had a losing road record.

The reality is, in games wherein fields are specifically laid out, the how field/ice/court advantage are somewhat illusionary. (Baseball is an exception, because fields can be different, and teams can be built to take advantage of their parks’ dimensions’.) There can be the extra adrenaline from the fans, but there is nothing physical stopping a team from winning--or losing--anywhere, depending on how good they are. It’s a matter of raising the energy level no matter what the fans in the stands are doing. I’m positive that fan energy can inspire a team, but an away team needs to base their energy as a reaction to the other teams’ energy levels.

But there is one small part of a home field that can bring a home field advantage. While the dimensions are the same, every place has weird quirks a team might learn. A basketball player might know that in a particular place in the court, the ball bounces funny--and take advantage of that to try to force the opponent there. A hockey player might know the puck bounces funny off the boards in a particular corner, and use that to his advantage. A football player might have a better idea of quirks of the field--including things like the wind and weather. (As stated earlier, baseball can take advantage of home field advantage from the beginning.)

Home field advantage requires players to pick up on the quirks of their home field. They are things that are picked up over time. A conscientious player may pick the quirks up earlier, while a less studious player might pick them up subconsciously.

But like anyone, players do appreciate the home field advantage of having the fans on their side. It’s much easier to play your best when people are rooting for you to do so.

Joe Mauer Injury Status: He’s playing in extended spring training, and seems to be doing quite well against, y’know, rookie players...